Saturday, December 2, 2017

December always smacks me in the face. How do I never see it coming? The cold air, the short days, the holiday deadlines - it all feels like it's about three days after August. Gets me every year.

Phew!

I have a friend who posts lists of what she's learned on Facebook. I've always enjoyed looking at her lists and I've admired her ability to keep track of lessons. Because the truth is we are all learning all the time, right? But with no record - we're at constant risk of "learning" the same thing over and over.

I tried keeping track a few different ways. I tried on the "notes" app in my phone a couple of years ago. Then I tried making a section for bullets in my journal.

Both failed. I did it for a short time, then faded into my normal busy.

Then about this time last year, I discovered these lists from my favorite author (and now podcaster) Emily P. Freeman. I printed them out and cut the pages into four: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. I kept them tucked into the back of whatever journal I was using at the time. I filled them up here and there, as I went about my daily life. I typically spend time in my Bible and a devotional or Bible study in the morning and I've developed a lovely habit of journaling in the morning. It's been so good for my soul over the last few years.

Anyway. I completed a year of "what I've learned" lists. And I'm so pleased with them! I think this practice really helped me to actually learn. I'll be printing out the lists for my 2018 journals this weekend. I've linked them above so if you'd like to give it a go - you can, too!

I shared my lists on Instagram. It felt kind of risky to put them out there, but almost immediately, it felt right. Obedience. Ah.